Marlene Banttari 1937 – 2024

Marlene Joan Banttari (Salmela), 87, of Roseville, passed away on October 15, 2024. Marlene was born in Wadena, MN on April 14, 1937 to Laurie and Lempie Salmela.
Growing-up on a farm near Sebeka, Marlene began an active career in 4-H in 1947 at the age of nine. Her committed involvement earned her a trip to the National 4-H Congress in 1956. She graduated as Salutatorian from Sebeka High School in 1955. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from the University of Minnesota. Marlene belonged to Beta Chapter of Clovia and remained committed as an Alumnae, working with her sorority sisters to support the Housing and Scholarship Funds.
After graduating from the university, Marlene taught Home Economics at Cambridge and then Brooklyn Center High Schools before becoming the Education Manager for Consumer Service Kitchens at the Pillsbury Company.
She served as the chairman of the Twin Cities Home Economists in Business (HEIB) and ultimately became a free-lance home economist and worked on recipe testing.
In June 1965 she married Ernest Eino “Ernie” Banttari. They lived in St. Paul before moving into the house her brother designed for them in Roseville where she lived for over fifty years. They also cherished time spent together and hosting guests at their cabin on Eagles Nest Lake, near Ely.
Marlene was a Board Member Emeritus of the Salolampi Foundation, where her commitment and service to the Finnish Language Village went above and beyond for over three decades as a board member, Sanomat Editor, Sanomat Chief Editor, Scholarship Chair, and History Chair.
Marlene participated in several Finnish American organizations including the Twin Cities Finnish American Cultural Association (FACA), Finlandia Foundation Twin Cities, Finnish Kitchen to the Festival of Nations, and the annual Finnish Joulu Celebration. Through FACA, she partnered with the American Swedish Institute to decorate the Finnish room for the annual holiday displays.
Marlene’s favorite job was that of Baking Judge at the Minnesota State Fair where she judged baked goods in the Creative Activities Building every State Fair for 35 years.
Marlene was so proud of her family and Finnish heritage. She traveled to Finland many times in her life and was instrumental in maintaining familial relationships with Salmela and Matti relatives in Finland and welcoming them on visits to Minnesota. Marlene’s kind, inquisitive, and hard-working spirit impacted all who knew her.
Marlene is preceded in death by her husband Ernest “Ernie” and her parents Laurie Fredrick Salmela and Lempie Christine (Mattie) Salmela. She is survived by her three brothers Lyle (Elaine) Salmela of Arden Hills, David (Gladys) Salmela of Duluth, and Theron “Terry” Salmela of Mora, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank James and Lois Hendrickson and Barbara Besonen for their help in caring for Marlene in her final years and to staff at Gladys Place in Plymouth for their kindness and care. Marlene has donated her body to the University of Minnesota Bequest Program.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 2:00PM preceded by a visitation beginning at 1:00PM at Washburn-McReavy, Shoreview Chapel, 515 Highway 96 West, Shoreview. A reception will follow the service.
Memorials are preferred to Salolampi Foundation; P.O. Box 14480; Minneapolis, MN 55414-0480; to donate online: www.salolampi.org
Arrangements are entrusted to Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.washburn-mcreavy.com.11-6c
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